Massacre of the Innocents
The Massacre of the Innocents is a story recounted in the Nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children who are two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. It is modeled by the story of Pharaoh's attempt to kill the Israelite children in the Book of Exodus, as told in an expanded version that was current in the 1st century.
Quotes about
[edit]- Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
- “A voice was heard in Ramah,
- Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
- Rachel weeping for her children,
- Refusing to be comforted,
- Because they are no more.”
- Gospel of Matthew 2:16-18 NKJV.
